BOAT owners and marina bosses in Watchet are calling for the planned demolition of the former cargo shed on the East Quay to be delayed by months amid fears that the disruption could hit business.

West Somerset Council, which owns the shed, has earmarked up to £50,000 for the work - originally scheduled to begin in less than a fortnight - because the building contains asbestos and has been declared structurally unsound.

But both Watchet Boat Owners Association and operator Watchet Harbour Marina (WHM) have criticised the timing of the demolition and called for it to be put back to the end of the summer.

WBOA secretary Ray Ventura said berth holders in the marina had been experiencing a "torrid time" for some months, primarily due to the failure of the tidal gate and ongoing issues with the level of mud.

"We felt we were just starting to get those issues under some level of control, with boat owners looking forward to taking their boats out of the water in preparation for a new season, only to be confronted with this news, which can only be disruptive to say the least," said Mr Ventura.

He said he imagined marina bosses were distraught by the risk of having more members leave the marina for other places because of additional disruption.

And in a letter to the council he warned: "You must be aware how important the survival of the marina is to Watchet and this untimely action can only jeopardise its future further."

The work had been due to begin on May 11 but yesterday (Thursday) the council said the demolition involved complex planning and although no definitive date had been set, it would be carried out as soon as practicable.

Sam Westmacott, spokesman for Watchet Harbour Marina, said the work was expected to take around four weeks.